Research interests

Dr. El Hassan is designing inorganic nanomaterials and using them as catalysts for methane-related reactions: dry reforming of methane, combined steam and dry reforming of methane, methanation, and methane decomposition. She is tailoring the textural and Physico-chemical properties of these materials at the nanometric level to improve their catalytic performances in the valorization of natural gas and carbon dioxide as well as for the conversion of solid waste into energy. In addition to the experimental works on catalytic materials and reactions, Dr. El Hassan is recently working on thermodynamic simulations of reactions used for clean energy production.
Dr. El Hassan is interested in the extension of catalyst design to hydrocarbons conversion into COx-free hydrogen, production of carbon nanotubes, and in one-pot cascade processes for sustainable biomass valorization into fuels. Dr. El Hassan will apply these nanomaterials in water purification and air pollution abatement.

Selected publications

1. L. Karam, M. C. Bacariza, J.M. Lopes, C. Henriques, J. Reboul, N. El Hassan, P. Massiani
   Mesoporous nickel-alumina catalysts derived from MIL-53(Al) metal-organic framework: A new promising path for synthesizing CO₂ methanation catalysts
   Journal of CO₂ utilization, 51(2021), 101651
2. L. Karam, A. Miglio, S. Specchia, N. El Hassan, P. Massiani and J. Reboul
   PET waste as organic linker source for the sustainable preparation of MOF-derived methane dry reforming catalysts.
   Materials Advances, 2(2021), 2750-2758.
3. M. N. Kaydouh, N. El Hassan, A. Davidson and P. Massiani
   Optimization of Synthesis Conditions of Ni/SBA-15 Catalysts: Confined Nanoparticles and Improved Stability in Dry Reforming of Methane.
   Catalysts, 11(2021), 44.
4. O. Daoura, G. Fornasieri, M. Boutros, N. El Hassan, P. Beaunier, C. Thomas, M. Selmane, A. Miche, C. Sassoye, O. Ersen, W. Baaziz, P. Massiani, A. Bleuzen and F. Launay
   One-pot prepared mesoporous silica SBA-15-like monoliths with embedded Ni particles as selective and stable catalysts for methane dry reforming
   Applied Catalysis B: environmental, 280 (2021) 119417-119430
5. L. Karam, M. Armandi, S. Casale, V. El Khoury, B. Bonelli, P. Massiani and N. El Hassan
   Comprehensive study on the effect of magnesium loading over nickel-ordered mesoporous alumina for dry reforming of methane
   Energy Conversion and Management, 225 (2020) 113470-113485
6. L. Karam, M. C. Bacariza, J. M. Lopes, C. Henriques, P. Massiani, N. El Hassan
   Assessing the potential of xNi-yMg-Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by one-pot towards CO₂ methanation: An overall study
   International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 45, 53 (2020) 28626-28639
7. O. El Samrout, L. Karam, K. Jabbour, P. Massiani, F. Launay, N. El Hassan
   Investigation of new routes for the preparation of mesoporous calcium oxide supported nickel materials used as catalysts for methane dry reforming reaction
   Catalysis Science and Technology, 10 (2020) 6910-6922
8. L. Karam, J. Reboul, S. Casale, P. Massiani, N. El Hassan
   Porous Nickel‐Alumina Derived from Metal‐Organic Framework (MIL‐53): A New Approach to Achieve Active and Stable Catalysts in Methane Dry Reforming
   ChemCatChem, 12 (2019) 373-385
9. L. Karam and N. El Hassan
   Advantages of mesoporous silica based catalysts in methane reforming by CO₂ from kinetic perspective
   Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 6 (2018) 4289–4297
10. L. Karam, S. Casale, H. El Zakhem, N. El Hassan
    Tuning the properties of nickel nanoparticles inside SBA-15 mesopores for enhanced stability in      methane reforming
    Journal of CO₂ utilization 17 (2017) 119-124
11. K. Jabbour, P. Massiani, A. Davidson, S. Casale, N. El Hassan
    Ordered mesoporous “one-pot” synthesized Ni-Mg(Ca)-Al₂O₃ as effective and remarkably stable    catalysts for combined steam and dry reforming of methane (CSDRM)
    Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 201 (2017) 527-542
12. N. El Hassan, M.N. Kaydouh, H. Geagea, H. El Zein, K. Jabbour, S. Casale, H. El Zakhem, P. Massiani
    Low temperature dry reforming of methane on rhodium and cobalt based catalysts: Active phase stabilization by confinement in mesoporous SBA-15
    Applied Catalysis A: General 520 (2016) 114–121
13. K. Jabbour, N. El Hassan, A. Davidson, S. Casale, P. Massiani
    Factors affecting the long-term stability of mesoporous nickel-based catalysts in combined steam and dry reforming of methane
    Catalysis Science and Technology 6 (2016) 4616-4631
14. M. N. Kaydouh, N. El Hassan, A. Davidson, S. Casale, H. El Zakhem, P. Massiani
    Highly active and stable NiSBA-15 catalysts prepared by a two solvents method for dry reforming of methane
    Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 220 (2016) 99-109
15. K. Jabbour, N. El Hassan, A. Davidson, P.Massiani, S. Casale 
    Characterizations and preformances of Ni/diatomite catalysts for dry reforming of methane
    Chemical Engineering Journal (2015), 264, 351-358
16. N. El Hassan, A. Davidson, P. Da Costa, G. Djéga-Mariadassou
    Methane activation by NO₂ on Co loaded SBA-15 catalysts: Effect of mesopores (length, diameter) on residence time and activity
    Catalysis Today (2008), 137, 191-196
17. L. Delannoy, N. El Hassan, A. Musi, N. Nguyen Le To, J.-M. Krafft, C. Louis
    Preparation of supported gold nanoparticles by a modified incipient wetness impregnation method.   
    Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2006), 110(45), 22471-22478
18. I. Lopes, N. El Hassan, H. Guerba, G. Wallez, A. Davidson.   
    Size - induced structural modifications affecting Co₃O₄ nanoparticles patterned in SBA-15 silicas.    
    Chemistry of Materials (2006), 18(25), 5826-5828

Academic degrees

PhD. Chemical Process Engineering, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI (now Sorbonne Université), France, 2008
M.S. Chemical Kinetics, Catalysis, Combustion and Modeling: applied to hydrocarbons, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI (now Sorbonne Université), France, 2004
Maïtrise-ès Sciences, Chemistry, Lebanese University, Lebanon, 2003